Arlinda Beth Rushing

Arlinda (Lin) Beth Rushing, 75 years old, of Abilene, Texas passed away on August 31, 2018 in her home in Abilene.

Funeral services will be held at 10am on Saturday September 8th at the Southwest Park Baptist Church located at 2901 South 20th St. with Pastor Mike Woodard officiating.  Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park located at 5750 Hwy 277 South in Abilene.  Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene

Lin, as she was lovingly known, was born in Ranger Texas to Arlie and Virginia Carver on April 4, 1943.  Lin traveled and attended various schools before graduating from Abilene High School (with classmate and future husband Larry Rushing).  Lin attended and graduated from McMurry University shortly thereafter and soon began teaching.  Although she loved teaching, the urge to enter the business world was stronger.  Lin started her business “Lin’s Sportswear” in 1970.  Lin brought to Abilene style and the first ski wear store in the Big Country…. and Lin sold effortlessly.  As her business grew and her reputation for honesty and not sugarcoating the facts, Lin developed a customer base that can only be described as an extended family.  In January of 1973, Lin married Larry Rushing.  That union began an amazing partnership that lead the couple to open multiple retail locations in the great city of Abilene which eventually culminated in the Lin’s and Larry’s Plaza on South 14th.  Through her charisma and business savvy, Lin was quick to capture the attention and hearts of so many Abilenians.  Lin’s and Larry’s was fast a household name and Lin herself became an icon in the community.  Through her example and mentoring, Lin’s daughter, Stacey, began her own successful retail business.  Lin was active locally for many causes and eventually became the President of the Abilene Woman’s Club twice.  Lin delighted herself with her grandchildren, swimming often and eventually rescuing the love of her life, a poodle she so aptly named “Buddy”.

Lin was preceded in death by her father Arlie Carver, her mother Virginia Carver, and her brother Don Carver.

Lin is survived by her husband Larry Rushing, her brother John Carver, her daughter Stacey Staggs Magovern and husband Michael, her step daughters Laura Rushing and LeAnn Ratliff, and her grandchildren, Bret Alexander Clinton, Rachel Lauren Ratliff, Kaden Patrick Ward and Ryan Thomas Ratliff.

Memorials may be given, in lieu of flowers.  Lin would want donations to be made to either Rescue the Animals SPCA (www.rescuetheanimals.org) or the Blue Family Fund (www.bluefamilyfund.org).